This small sculpture was created in response to a request from Philadelphia’s marvelous Clay Studio. The exhibition Small Favors (April 28 – July 3, 2023) is part of the Studio’s annual series that primarily features ceramic works. On occasion, artists who specialize in other media are invited to contribute. One criteria for Small Favors is that sculptures must be tiny, able to fit in a 4″ square, acrylic display box. Well over a hundred such jewel-like containers were ingeniously mounted in an elaborate installation by the Clay Studio staff.
When invited in late 2022 to participate, I was at first unsure how to proceed as I rarely work on such a small scale. Ultimately, the idea came to me on a cold, dark, December evening. Seeing the full moon that night, resurfaced lifelong memories of my family’s obsession with Outer Space. In adulthood, my husband Lindsay and I observed the Moon and other distant phenomena with our son Iain. I’d also recently revisited such themes for Over the Moon and Under the Sun. The desaturated (shades of grey) approach used for the former was especially rewarding.
In the end, You Promised Me the Moon materialized over four months, with memories of Lindsay (sadly lost in 2021) interwoven into the sculpture. I feel certain he was at the Small Favors opening with me and close friends and was as thrilled as we were, when the sculpture sold quickly.
You Promised Me The Moon
Glass seed beads and thread, worked in peyote stitch over felted wool ball
Diam.: 3 7/8″
Exhibited: Small Favors exhibition, Clay Studio, Philadelphia (April 28 – July 3, 2023)
Private Collection, Philadelphia, PA
Leslie B. Grigsby Beadwork 